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Heritage Preservation - 06/21/1999APPROVED MINUTES HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Monday, June 21, 1999 7:00 p.m., City Center Prairie Rooms A and B 8080 Mitchell Road Commission Members: Timothy Colliton - Chairperson, Deborah Barkley, Lori Peterson-Benike, Kathie Case, Jan Mosman, and James Wilson Student Representative: Mark Perry Staff: John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist, and Rebecca Belz, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Chair Colliton called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Colliton asked for changes or additions to the agenda. Hearing none, James Wilson moved, seconded by Kathie Case, to accept the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. III. APPROVAL OF MAY 17, 1999 MINUTES Chair Colliton asked for discussion and approval of the minutes of the May 17, 1999 meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission. Changes requested included: To change the word “Historical” to “Heritage” in the fourth sentence under Section IV on the first page. To correct the spelling of Sandy Werts’ name in the first and fourth paragraph under letter A. of Section VI on page 2. With no other changes, James Wilson moved, seconded by Lori Peterson-Benike, to approve the minutes of the May 17, 1999 meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 21, 1999 Page 2 IV. REPORTS AND REQUESTS – EDEN PRAIRIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Members of the Eden Prairie Historical Society were present to discuss the Anderson School Restoration. Members present included Chair Marie Wittenberg, Vice Chair and Commissioner of the Heritage Preservation Commission, Kathie Case, Reuel Long, Allene Hookom and Frank Cardarelle. All attendees introduced themselves. Ms. Wittenberg referred to the letter she sent to Mr. Bob Lambert of the City regarding the availability of the school due to the purchase of the land it sits on. The letter explained that the developer is willing to give the School to Historical Society for only the cost to move it. It requests that the City consider placing it on the Riley Park property. Mr. Lambert’s response letter was also included in the packet and contained several concerns outlined for consideration by both parties. Ms. Wittenberg turned the discussion over to Mr. Frank Cardarelle who discussed Edina’s Cahill School, how it had been saved and restored and how it is currently used throughout the year as a field trip educational experience for third graders. He further explained details of how it is run, that the City of Edina maintains the building and grounds and the Historical Society hires and runs the programming. He suspected that a profit was made, though an amount was not known. Mr. Cardarelle also urged the Commission and Society to seize the opportunity while available, that once lost could never be retrieved. He further explained that he had been involved in moving the school at one other time and said that it is very feasible to move again. Discussion ensued regarding the costs involved in moving the building, restoration, where it could be moved to, how it would be operated, how it would be maintained, etc. Mr. Reuel Long made a presentation in support of the proposition to preserve and restore the building. His thorough report included historical photos, current photos, as well as a drawing outlining a potential placement on the Riley Jacques property. Mr. Gertz further supported the proposition. He noted that if the school were moved to the Riley Jacques Farmstead, it would determine a use for the property making it a Historical Park. Mr. Gertz was also in favor of this concept. Mr. Gertz then identified reasonable steps in which to take to complete the approval process, etc. Some things for consideration and details to be planned prior to making a request to City Council include: • Determine if the building is worth moving and if the alterations made to the building are reversible. • Determine how and who would pay to move the building. • Determine exactly what restoration would be needed. • Determine who and how the restoration would be paid. • Determine who would maintain the grounds and building. • Establish a program and use of the building and Historic Park. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 21, 1999 Page 3 • Determine where the building would be moved. • Establish costs in preparing the site for the building; i.e. prep soil, foundation, footings, etc. Commissioner and Historical Society Vice Chair Case suggested seeking a sponsor to help finance fees for moving and restoring. She further suggested that sponsors be solicited for each of the historic buildings in Eden Prairie alleviating some of the burden placed on the City to maintain them. It was decided that the initial step to be taken included a meeting with Michael DeVetter, Architect, building inspector from the City’s building Inspection Department, John Gertz, and any other interested party to determine if the building is salvageable. Mr. Gertz volunteered to set up this meeting after July 1st when the owner of the land and building will be available. Mr. Gertz will let Marie Wittenberg know when the meeting is so she can inform her Board Members and Mr. Gertz will also notify the HPC. Once that has been determined, Mr. Gertz suggested the Historical Society continue with the responsibilities in preparing the project for presentation to City Council. He explained that though he is willing to assist the Historical Society, the project should remain their responsibility. The discussion regarding the Anderson Frame School concluded at 8:00 p.m. and the members of the Historical Society were excused. V. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. John Teman Property Building Evaluation Mr. Gertz reported visiting this property and taking several photos of the building for historical and record purposes. He reported to the Commission that he saw no historical significance to the property. He noted that it did not appear to be very old and lacked context. Mr. Gertz reported that it is scheduled to be demolished soon. B. Miller Spring Update Mr. Gertz updated the Commission that he had met with Bob Lambert and Bob Obermeyer June 3, 1999 to discuss the progress of the Miller Spring project. It was reported that the soil would not support footings, etc. and can be corrected. Soil correction will be done and the new tank will be placed in late August or early September. C. Arlene Marshall Farm Documentation Mr. Gertz reported that he had spoken with Lee Johnson recently and will soon go out to the property to conduct a photo documentation of the property soon. The HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 21, 1999 Page 4 Heritage Preservation Commission as well as the Eden Prairie Historical Society is welcome to have all the barn wood they would like. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Request from Mark Pierce to Purchase J.R. Cummins Homestead Prints at a Discount The Commission acknowledged that Mr. Pierce’s request to purchase the prints at a discount had been discussed and denied at the last meeting. Mr. Gertz reported having told Mr. Pierce this information, however, posed a counter offer to purchase several of the prints at a discount to make the proposition more economically beneficial for the City. The Commission concluded to further investigate the actual worth of the prints since the artist, Les Kouba, is deceased. This will be readdressed and action taken at the next meeting. B. J.R. Cummins Homestead House Site Plan Update Mr. Gertz reported that he and Commissioner Mosman visited the site to take several measurements. Commissioner Mosman reported that the measurements, drawing, and labeled items would be included in the Master Site Plan that will then be included in Mr. Gertz’s Preservation Plan. The Preservation Plan includes all City owned historic properties in Eden Prairie. It was also reported that the apple trees obtained from the Eden Apple Orchard would be moved in the fall. The area where the trees will be planted requires some work. C. Certified Local Government Grant (CLG) Update Mr. Gertz reported that the Grant Project is on schedule. He met with Paul Maravelas and then went to Sever Peterson’s property to photograph the area. Mr. Maravelas will submit a draft to the Commission by the end of July. D. Sunbonnet Day Update Gertz reported of his meeting with Tria Mann and Sandy Werts of the City. Plans are coming along on track but they still need volunteers for the event. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 21, 1999 Page 5 VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Friendship Ventures Proposed Maintenance Plan and Improvement Plan for the Glen Lake Children’s Camp Buildings Mr. Gertz noted the inclusion of the Eden Wood Center Maintenance & Capital Improvement Plan forwarded by Friendship Ventures. He reported that it appeared to be a simple and very doable plan. He will incorporate the report with the rest of the information. He also noted that Friendship Ventures is aware that a concept drawing is necessary to accompany the information for the grant. This should be obtained by the end of July. B. Harrington Art Prints Mr. Gertz reported that this artist had been commissioned in the 1950’s to create watercolor paintings of historic properties in Eden Prairie. He had included a list of thirty-three subjects that had been completed and believed to be jointly owned by the Historical Society and the City. He suggested an inventory be conducted and clarification made as to who owned the paintings and where they are located. Commissioner Case noted that she believed post card size copies of the paintings were kept at the City Center and that several of the originals were hung at the High School. Commissioner Case obtained the photo album where 18 of the 33 post card sized copies were kept. Further investigation will be done to inventory these and possibly use for fundraising in ways such as calendars, post cards, etc., for sale. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Prior to adjourning, Commissioner Case suggested the City provide a marker for a former citizen of Eden Prairie named “Old Joe” who was buried at the end of the Eden Prairie Cemetery and possibly now buried under the road. She believed this to be an appropriate gesture to acknowledge the faithful citizen. The Commission was in agreement. Details will be investigated. Having no other business to come before the Commission, James Wilson moved, seconded by Deborah Barkley, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.